RTÉ Independent Productions

RTÉ REGIONAL and DIVERSITY

COMMISSIONING BRIEF

Commissioning Editor - Ray McCarthy
Editor Education - Colm O'Callaghan

UPDATED: Wednesday 09th May 2012

REGIONAL and DIVERSITY PROGRAMMING

Literacy

Transmission : Monday 19:30, RTÉ ONE

Budget: BAI funding

RTÉ has a long and distinguished record in the field of Television Literacy Programming and, over the last number of years, has enjoyed particular success with strong, formatted series like 'A Story With Me In It' and 'Written Off'.

We would like to develop our coverage of literacy issues. And although RTÉ will continue with the 'Hands On' strand, the new literacy series could include elements for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
To this end, we are open to proposals - from which we will select one - to support for the BAI's Sound and Vision, Round 14, which closes on July 13th, 2012 next.

We are seeking multi-part, half-hour series that can be observational, interventionist, campaigning or magazine-based. Proposals can be presenter[s]-led or authored.

We are particularly interested in ideas or concepts that could work across more than one media platform or that could work in partnership with radio and/or on-line.

We are not seeking documentary style proposals or individual profiles or biographies.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system:
https://e-commissioning.rte.ie/SWIFT.Web/skins/rte/login.aspx
under the programme category "Regional - Literacy"

We would like all submissions by 5PM, Wednesday, June 6th.

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Science

Transmission: Post Watershed, RTÉ ONE

Budget: Potential BAI funding - Budget for discussion, depending on format and duration.

We invite proposals for programmes that focus on the impact science has on contemporary life in Ireland. We are interested in programme concepts and formats that transform scientific understanding of our world into stories that will attract and engage our prime-time audience.

Our primary requirement is that these programmes take relevant scientific knowledge and present this to the audience in stimulating, interesting and maybe provocative ways. We believe that, if we are to attract an audience to science programmes, storytelling is an essential ingredient. The relevant science-related information and understanding can be woven into these stories. We are open to a wide range of proposals on the implications of scientific developments for how we live, what we eat, how we dress, how we travel, communicate and entertain and anything else that matters! Beyond that we are not prescriptive.

We are more interested in proposals for series rather than for single programmes.

We are not looking for programmes on the history of science, biographies of scientists, laboratory life or expositions of scientific concepts.

Productions of this scale are likely to require BAI funding. We would also be interested in suggestions for other funding options that can be explored once we move to the commissioning process.

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REGIONAL and DIVERSITY PROGRAMMING

BAI

Submissions can be submitted for BAI Round 12, though this has not yet been announced.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system:
https://e-commissioning.rte.ie/SWIFT.Web/skins/rte/login.aspx
under the programme category "BAI".

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REGIONAL and DIVERSITY PROGRAMMING

Multiculture

No. of Episodes/Duration: Up to 6 x 25 minutes

Slot: Fridays 19:30 or 20.30 RTÉ ONE

Budget: Up to €45,000 per half-hour.

We are seeking new programme formats that reflect the realities of contemporary life in intergenerational multicultural Ireland. We are looking for mainstream programmes that have an accent on diversity without this being the sole theme.

It could take any format - observational, formatted, lifestyle.
We are looking for an approach that will take us into new territory and that will attract the interest of a wide audience because of its provocative or entertaining style.

The successful series will ideally be one that is capable of renewal.

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Education

No. of Episodes/Duration: Up to 4 x 52 minutes

Transmission: Mondays 21:30 or Tuesdays 20.15 RTÉ ONE

Budget: Up to €110,000 per hour

Education can be approached on television in many different ways. We are interested in new and exciting formats and/or concepts for interpreting the place of learning and development in the world around us.

In recent years we had engaged with the world of formal education in "The School" and "Music Changes Lives" while David Coleman has focused on family life issues and parenting skills. We are currently in production in the area of private school admission and going into development on the theme of teen bullying.

We are open to new interpretations in wider areas of education that will maximise the interest of the audience. We are interested in ideas or concepts that work across more than one media platform.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system:
https://e-commissioning.rte.ie/SWIFT.Web/skins/rte/login.aspx
under the programme category "Education" .

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Science

Transmission: Post- watershed RTÉ ONE

Budget: For discussion, depending on format and duration

We are interested in receiving proposals on programmes with science as a theme and welcome formats that will bring contemporary scientific developments to a wide audience. We would like to explore new funding options as many science agencies support the promotion of science.

We ask, in the first instance, that producers submit ideas into the eCommissioning system:
https://e-commissioning.rte.ie/SWIFT.Web/skins/rte/login.aspx

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REGIONAL and DIVERSITY PROGRAMMING

Observational Documentaries

Transmission: Pre watershed RTÉ ONE

Budget: Up to €270,000

RTÉ is seeking one or more series for pre-watershed slots and these types of series are a key component of our Regional output.

The recent series of 'Customs', 'Skippers', and 'From Here to Maternity' have highlighted the viewer appeal of a well-produced observational series.

These series offered an authentic insight into their own particular world through engaging characters. We are now looking for more observational type series that feature life and activities throughout the country as their touchstone. A good example of this is the current observational series on community nurses in different areas of the country, through whom we gain access to strong personal stories.

The priority for these commissions is to gain a fresh perspective on a lifestyle not previously featured in our schedules. We are open to a wide range of ideas, everything from the setting up of a new venture to observing an established team of professionals in action. The characters and their experiences unearthed in the programmes should ideally display elements of grit and charm.

The series can be filmed over an extended period of time and unfettered access is a key driver. Producers should indicate the types of scenarios they see unfolding throughout the series.

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Please note:

The discussion of, or initial interest in, a proposal does not represent a commitment to commission by RTÉ and should not be understood as such. Commissioning decisions will reflect the quality of proposals received and the scheduling priorities operating at the time. RTÉ's financial position will also be a factor.

Any proposals previously submitted to RTÉ in categories listed here, and which were rejected on a first reading in a previous Round, should not be re-submitted and will not be reconsidered.

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